Northern hardwood species in northern Wisconsin and western Michigan may tolerate a mild amount of warming, but many species could deline under a warmer, drier climate by the end of the century (sugar maple, yellow birch, and eastern hemlock).

Models projections are mixed for many common species that make up northern hardwood forests in northern Wisconsin and western Upper Michigan. In particular, sugar maple, yellow birch, and eastern hemlock are projected to increase under mild climate scenarios and decrease under hotter, drier conditions. Some more southerly-distributed hardwood species that are currently infrequent or absent in the assessment area, including white oak, sycamore, sweet birch, and yellow-poplar, are projected to gain new suitable habitat. Although individual species may increase or decrease as the climate changes, there is evidence that the northern hardwoods forest type as a whole may be better able to maintain productivity relative to other forest types.